Austin Energy Operations & Maintenance Specialist

  • City of Austin, TX
  • Austin, Texas
  • Apr 03, 2024
Full Time Building Maintenance

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:
  • Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus (4) years of experience in a field related to the installation, operation, and/or maintenance of a utility facility power, steam, or chiller operation.


Licenses and Certifications Required:
  • Valid Texas class C driver license or ability to obtain within ninety (90) days of employment.
  • Ability to produce and maintain an acceptable driving record.


Physical Requirements:
  • Moderate bending, lifting, walking, carrying, climbing ladders, and using a force equal to lifting up to fifty (50) pounds.
  • Must be able to work a varying shift work schedule.
  • Must be able to work in confined areas.
  • Must be able to work on elevated structures. Must be able to work under emergency and all weather conditions.
Notes to Applicants
This position is responsible for building, maintaining, and servicing electrical and mechanical equipment throughout Austin Energy and City of Austin facilities. These facilities include Austin Energy substations, power plants, downtown network vaults, service centers, and cooling plants, as well as City of Austin Parks and Recreation Centers. In addition to these duties, this position is also responsible for providing power to special events supported by City Council and Austin Energy.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Employment Application:
  • The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
  • The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
  • Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
  • Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.


If you are selected as a top candidate:
  • Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
  • If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
  • This position requires a criminal background investigation.


Fair Labor Standards Act:

This position is classified as NON - EXEMPT .

Driving Requirement:


This position requires a valid Class “C” driver’s license or the obtain within ninety (90) days of employment. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite . To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.
Pay Range
$30.29 - $37.86

Hours
Monday - Friday: 6:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Job Close Date 05/01/2024 Type of Posting External Department Austin Energy Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Technical Location 4411-B Meinardus Dr., Austin, TX 78744 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:


Experience in all phases of work as a journeyman-level electrician installing, diagnosing, troubleshooting, and repairing electrical systems such as low voltage distribution equipment, medium voltage distribution equipment, motor controls, facility building equipment, and lighting systems. Experience in all phases of work as a certified air conditioning and refrigeration technician installing, diagnosing, troubleshooting, and repairing HVAC systems such as wall mounts, package units, split systems, and mini splits up 10 tons. Possess a State of Texas Journeyman Electrician license or higher or the ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire. Possess a State of Texas Certified Air Conditioning and Refrigeration ( ACR ) Technician license or higher or the ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire. Possess a Type I and II Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Equipment Certification ( EPA Certification) or the ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire.

Ability to work at heights of up to 100 feet.
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.


Installs, tests, debugs, and repairs complex utility equipment. Calibrates sensors, controllers, and meters. Enters data into computerized and/or manual maintenance systems. Records data on appropriate forms, logs, etc. Starts up/shuts down diesel generator units. Operates mechanical screens. Monitors operation of equipment and machinery in work area. Reads gauges and meters. Checks, cleans, and services equipment pumps, power tools, etc. Checks equipment for proper operation, safety, and/or needed maintenance. Turns on/off valve with valve wrench. Operates centrifuge, generator, turbine, and/or auxiliary equipment. Sets up and operates sump and/or other pumps. Cleans tanks, feeds chemicals, etc. Repairs, services, and installs components of the boiler, turbine, generator, HVAC , electrical, uninterruptible power supply, or auxiliary systems of a utility facility, power, steam, or chiller operation. Performs preventive maintenance activities on utility equipment per specification(s). Plans work and identifies necessary resources (tools, equipment, parts, labor). Performs mechanical alignments for rotating equipment and their drivers. Troubleshoots mechanical systems and/or equipment, sometimes within critical infrastructure. Disassembles and reassembles complex mechanical components. Determines close tolerance fit of associated parts.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:
  • May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.


  • Knowledge of basic methods, equipment, tools, and materials involved in the maintenance and repair of large equipment.
  • Knowledge of safety rules, codes, and regulations applicable when working on or near energized electrical systems, steam systems, and high-pressure water systems.
  • Knowledge of lock out/tag out procedures for removing equipment from service for maintenance.
  • Knowledge of proper methods and procedures used in cleaning work area and equipment.
  • Knowledge of operating procedures for firing and maintaining pressure on high-pressure steam boilers and of the operation and maintenance of auxiliary equipment.
  • Knowledge of boiler feed water chemical treatment and control.
  • Knowledge of pressure, temperature, water level, and other types of indicating instruments used in operation of high-pressure boilers.
  • Skill in establishing and maintaining excellent communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.
  • Skill in performing basic mathematical calculations.
  • Skill in control procedures for operating auxiliary equipment.
  • Ability to make accurate gauge readings.
  • Ability to reference/interpret manual sufficient to perform job tasks.
  • Ability to meet and maintain driver eligibility standards in the COA Driver Safety Program.
  • Ability to drive, inspect, and maintain various electric utility vehicles.
Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus (4) years of experience in a field related to the installation, operation, and/or maintenance of a utility facility power, steam, or chiller operation. Do you meet these requirements?
  • Yes
  • No
* Please describe how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have a valid Texas Class "C" Driver's License or the ability to obtain one within 90 days of hire?
  • Yes
  • No
* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?
  • Yes
  • No
* This position requires moderate bending, lifting, walking, carrying, climbing ladders, and using a force equal to lifting up to fifty (50) pounds. Must be able to work a varying shift work schedule. Must be able to work in confined areas. Must be able to work on elevated structures. Must be able to work under emergency and all weather conditions. Do you meet these requirements?
  • Yes
  • No
* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.
  • I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.
* Describe your experience in all phases of work as a certified air conditioning and refrigeration technician installing, diagnosing, troubleshooting, and repairing HVAC systems such as wall mounts, package units, split systems, and mini splits up 10 tons.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience in all phases of work as a journeyman-level electrician installing, diagnosing, troubleshooting, and repairing electrical systems such as low voltage distribution equipment, medium voltage distribution equipment, motor controls, facility building equipment, and lighting systems.
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you possess a State of Texas Journeyman Electrician or higher license or the ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire?
  • Yes
  • No
* Do you possess a State of Texas Certified Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (ACR) Technician license or higher or the ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire?
  • Yes
  • No
* Do you possess a Type I and II Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Equipment Certification (EPA Certification) or the ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire?
  • Yes
  • No
* Please describe your experience working at heights of up to 100 feet.
(Open Ended Question)


Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Optional Documents

Job Address

Austin, Texas United States View Map